Australia may send more troops to Afghanistan

Almost 16 years since Australia first sent forces to Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks, the Turnbull Government is weighing up sending more troops to the conflict.

The West Australian understands Australia has received a request from NATO for a “small number” of new troops as fears grow about the deteriorating security situation and signs Islamic State is gaining a foothold in the country.

The request was made in recent days, ahead of a major conference of Allied leaders, which will likely see the US commit thousands more troops, including special forces.

Concerns are growing about the ability of the Afghan Government to hold territory ahead of the so-called “fighting season” of the summer months.

The Taliban have already overrun areas in the south of the country once controlled by NATO troops.

And last month the US military dropped the biggest non-nuclear bomb in its arsenal on a suspected IS cave complex, killing 36 fighters.

Senior Trump administration officials are said to have recommended the US send several thousand extra soldiers to break the military deadlock and force the Taliban to the negotiating table in what has become America’s longest war.

Britain and several European nations are also reported to have agreed to send extra troops and equipment.

Australia first sent forces to Afghanistan in 2001 to back US efforts to hunt down al-Qaida and Taliban forces.

Australia stepped up its role in 2006 when the Howard government committed a task force to police the southern province of Oruzgan.

Australia pulled out of Oruzgan in 2013, but kept a force of more than 200 personnel in Kabul, mostly to train Afghan troops and police.

Forty Australian personnel were killed in combat in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2013 and more than 250 were wounded.

The NATO summit on Afghanistan will be held on May 25 in Brussels, with US President Donald Trump expected to make an announcement on new forces for the conflict before the meeting.

Australia has an air strike group and special forces task force helping push Islamic State out of Iraq.